The Keys to Executive Information System Success

Abstract:

Executive information systems (EIS) are high-risk/high-return systems, largely because the clientele these systems serve are not only influential in the firm, but have information needs that are very difficult to provide through computer-based information systems. As a result, it is important to understand the keys to successful EIS development and ongoing operation. This two-phase study first interviewed executives, EIS professionals, and vendors and consultants to elicit keys to success. The findings of the first phase rank-ordered the keys to successful EIS development and the keys to successful ongoing EIS operation. The first phase also indicated differences among the constituencies regarding the relative importance of the keys. The second phase of the research surveyed a large sample of EIS professionals to further examine the keys obtained from the interviews. These findings showed underlying dimensions of the two sets of keys, which in turn were used to produce a model of successful EIS development and operation. These factors also provided evidence to support and integrate the existing literature on information systems success.

Key Words and Phrases::

• executive information systems
• executive support systems
• information systems success

Additional information

Notes on contributors

R. Kelly Rainer

R. Kelly Rainer, Jr., is Associate Professor of Management (MIS) at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. He received his Ph.D. in management information systems from the University of Georgia. He has published articles in Decision Sciences, the Journal of Management Information Systems, MIS Quarterly, as well as in other journals. His research interests include executive information systems, behavioral aspects of information technology usage, and structural equation modeling. He coauthored Executive Information Systems (Wiley, 1992) with Hugh Watson and George Houdeshel.

Hugh J. Watson

Hugh J. Watson holds the Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Chair of Business Administration in the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. He is an author or coauthor of nineteen books, including Executive Information Systems (Wiley, 1992), and over 100 articles. Dr. Watson directs Georgia’s Executive Information Systems program of research and is a frequent speaker and consultant on EIS.